Tentative deal could be near in writers strike
Source says settlement could be reached early next week

Associated Press
6.30 pm EST Feb. 2
  
LOS ANGELES - A breakthrough in contract talks has been reached between Hollywood studios and striking writers and could lead to a tentative deal as early as next week, a person close to the ongoing negotiations said Saturday.

The two sides breached the gap Friday on the thorniest issues, those concerning compensation for projects distributed via the Internet, said the person, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Although work remains to be done on elements of the agreement, prospects for a deal appeared solid, the person said. The tentative agreement would have to be approved by a majority of guild members.

WGA schedules Saturday meeting
Members to discuss negotiations
By DAVE MCNARY
Variety.com
Feb. 5

WGA leaders have scheduled a bicoastal powwow on Saturday, with membership meetings in Gotham and L.A. designed to sell the new contract agreement to the WGA's rank-and-file and end the 3-month-old strike.

L.A.'s gathering will be held at 7 p.m. at the Shrine Auditorium. In New York, the WGA East has set its membership meeting for 2 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza.

At both gatherings, WGA leaders will go over the details of the proposed contract, and the reaction and questions from the members will likely signal whether the deal will pass muster in a ratification vote by the WGA's 10,500 members.

Negotiating committee chief John Bowman has already told members that the official approval process through the committee and the WGA boards would not take place until after the membership meetings in L.A. and New York. If members back the deal at the meetings, the boards could quickly start the ratification process -- and possibly issue a back-to-work order that could take effect as early as Monday.

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Let's get it done guy!!